Cataclysms are defined as world-shattering events that leave behind something entirely different. Imagine this: you wake up one day and none of your electronic devices are working. Though everything on the surface of your surroundings seems the same, every step you take outside gives you the anxious feeling that you’re walking on cracked glass. The first human reaction to this situation would be to connect with friends and family to see if they feel the same and if anyone can grasp what is happening. Once your fears are confirmed, the next step is to figure out how to stay safe and survive. For those who find a thrill in the previous scenario and would rise to the challenge, the currently in-development Overland from indie developers Finji strikes a chord in the same theme.

Overland started off as “an off-hand comment on twitter in late 2013 [that] became a full-time job for 4 people in 2014, and Finji’s main project in 2015.” Providing key details on their title, the developers state:

Overland is squad-based survival strategy game with procedurally generated levels set in post-apocalyptic North America. Every random level is full of close calls and hard choices, even though the interface is approachable and easy to learn. Manage fuel supplies, weapons, and other items by making the right choices on the procedural roadmaps. Overland is a road trip straight into the heart of the cataclysmic event that changed the Earth forever.

As seen in the trailer, the art from Heather Penn is an astonishing blend of simplicity meeting great dimension through excellent color choice and perspective shadowing. Sound design from Jocelyn Reyes perfectly executes a feeling of uneasiness that should keep players entranced on their toes. Additionally, the animation work from Yurika Nishi-Imai is well-nuanced and provides key atmospheric texture as seen in the GIF below.

Per its Steam product page, Overland has a current release window of 2018 and will be available for PC, Mac, and Linux. Since 2016, the developers have been running a “First Access” program where anyone who wants to play the game as it stands can do so for $20.

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